Ancient Roman Silver Fibula, with X-mark decoration
09
days
15
hours
04
minutes
34
seconds
Current bid
€ 42
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 280 - € 350
10 other people are watching this object
 | €42 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €37 |
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Ancient Roman silver fibula with X-mark decoration dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, approximately 44.5 mm long and 17.4 mm wide, in good condition and complete with spring, pin and catchplate.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman silver decorated bow fibula with incised decoration on the bow and X decoration on the foot, coiled spring mechanism and catchplate. The bow is formed as a smooth, tapering arch with a central ridge, leading to a rectangular foot plate.
-> The X-mark may refer to the Legio X Gemina which was stationed at Hispania and Nijmegen (Roman Noviomagus) before being transferred to the Danube frontier.
Length: ± 44,5 mm
Width: ± 17,4 mm
Condition: good solid condition, complete with spring, pin (rigid) and catchplate. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> The LEGIO X GEMINA was formed in 58 BC by Gaius Julius Caesar for his upcoming war in Gaul. The Tenth Paired Legion is considered one of the oldest legions of the Roman Republic, and later the Roman Empire.
Known for its bravery and effectiveness, the Legion played a crucial role in Caesar's Gallic Wars and the subsequent civil wars. After Caesar's assassination, the Legion served under Augustus, participating in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Around 71 AD, Legio X Gemina was stationed in Nijmegen, later known as Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum. They were sent there after the Batavian Revolt to maintain Roman control and oversee the region. The Legio remained until 103 AD, during which time they constructed a stone fort, replacing the earlier wooden structure. The Legion's presence significantly influenced the military and administrative landscape of the area. In 103 AD, the X Gemina was stationed in Vienna (Vindobona).
In the 2nd to 4th centuries the Legion was involved in numerous campaigns across the Roman Empire, including the Marcomannic Wars and the Bar Kokhba revolt.
The Legion existed until the early 5th century AD, making them one of the longest-serving Legions in Roman history, and earning a reputation for its discipline and combat prowess. The Legion's legacy is a testament to the strength and organization of the Roman military.
Title: Legio X Gemina (The Tenth Paired Legion), later on also Equestris.
Mascot: Bull
-> Ancient Romans appreciated complex jewellery designs and used a wide range of materials. Fibulae were worn by both men and women, often richly decorated. Fibulae are found in a large variety of styles, from strictly functional to very elaborate designs with colourful enamels or incorporating zoomorphic figures.
The lower classed Romans used imitations of glass or various metal alloys to reduce the cost of manufacture while displaying their social status.
-> Roman men typically wore one or more finger rings and fibulae. Jewellery was of particular importance to women in Roman society. They had the right to buy, sell or barter their jewellery independently as it was considered their own personal property. Jewellery for children not only showed the wealth and social status of the parents, it often included amulets to protect the children from illness and ward off evil forces.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman silver decorated bow fibula with incised decoration on the bow and X decoration on the foot, coiled spring mechanism and catchplate. The bow is formed as a smooth, tapering arch with a central ridge, leading to a rectangular foot plate.
-> The X-mark may refer to the Legio X Gemina which was stationed at Hispania and Nijmegen (Roman Noviomagus) before being transferred to the Danube frontier.
Length: ± 44,5 mm
Width: ± 17,4 mm
Condition: good solid condition, complete with spring, pin (rigid) and catchplate. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> The LEGIO X GEMINA was formed in 58 BC by Gaius Julius Caesar for his upcoming war in Gaul. The Tenth Paired Legion is considered one of the oldest legions of the Roman Republic, and later the Roman Empire.
Known for its bravery and effectiveness, the Legion played a crucial role in Caesar's Gallic Wars and the subsequent civil wars. After Caesar's assassination, the Legion served under Augustus, participating in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Around 71 AD, Legio X Gemina was stationed in Nijmegen, later known as Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum. They were sent there after the Batavian Revolt to maintain Roman control and oversee the region. The Legio remained until 103 AD, during which time they constructed a stone fort, replacing the earlier wooden structure. The Legion's presence significantly influenced the military and administrative landscape of the area. In 103 AD, the X Gemina was stationed in Vienna (Vindobona).
In the 2nd to 4th centuries the Legion was involved in numerous campaigns across the Roman Empire, including the Marcomannic Wars and the Bar Kokhba revolt.
The Legion existed until the early 5th century AD, making them one of the longest-serving Legions in Roman history, and earning a reputation for its discipline and combat prowess. The Legion's legacy is a testament to the strength and organization of the Roman military.
Title: Legio X Gemina (The Tenth Paired Legion), later on also Equestris.
Mascot: Bull
-> Ancient Romans appreciated complex jewellery designs and used a wide range of materials. Fibulae were worn by both men and women, often richly decorated. Fibulae are found in a large variety of styles, from strictly functional to very elaborate designs with colourful enamels or incorporating zoomorphic figures.
The lower classed Romans used imitations of glass or various metal alloys to reduce the cost of manufacture while displaying their social status.
-> Roman men typically wore one or more finger rings and fibulae. Jewellery was of particular importance to women in Roman society. They had the right to buy, sell or barter their jewellery independently as it was considered their own personal property. Jewellery for children not only showed the wealth and social status of the parents, it often included amulets to protect the children from illness and ward off evil forces.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
with X-mark decoration, Fibula
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2025
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
